Switch and pump control unit for sump, riser and the like



June 1 1963 A. NIELSEN 3,093,

swrrca AND PUMP CONTROL UNIT FOR SUMP, RISER AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9. 1959 IN V EN TOR.

AXEL lV/EZSEN BY 4 fig? 4 OR/VEYJ 3,093,083 SWITCH AND PUMP CONTROL UNIT FGR SUMP, RISER AND THE LIKE Axel L. Nielsen, 1316 E. Elza, Hazel Park, Mich. Filed Nov. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 851,749 4 illaims. (Cl. 103-45) The present invention relates to an improved pump for controlling the water level in a sump, floor riser or the like, of the general type which is the subject matter of my copending application, Serial No. 684,308, filed September 16, 1957, now abandoned, of which application the present application is a continuation-in-part.

That application illustrates and describes two embodiments of a pump of the character described, shown as being constructed in a very compact, simple and inexpensive way for insertion in a sump or riser, as by mounting the pump structure to a plug adapted to be threaded into the top of the usual basement floor riser, although its application in a different manner to a sump or like liquid connector is contemplated. Whether used in connection with the drainage of a sewer system riser or a sump, the pump of the application identified has advantages in regard to compactness, simplicity and low cost, as mentioned above, and in addition makes it possible to avoid the danger and unpleasant odor attending the use of a relatively large sump and sump pump, since the pump unit may be installed in a sub-floor collector in the form of a four inch pipe.

As illustrated and described in my copending application, the pump is a self-priming, self-contained dual pump unit, including an above-floor pump adapted to be fitted to a basement floor clean-out opening or riser of the plumbing system, this pump being direct-driven by a motor positioned coaxially thereabove, with the intake side of the pump housing communicating downwardly with a further priming pump housing and impeller therefor, mounted on the same shaft as the above-floor pump impeller. Motor operation of this shaft is, as described in my identified application, under the control of a suitable pressure-responsive electrical switch device such as is illustrated and described in my Letters Patent No. 2,834,845, of May 13, 1958. As illustrated therein, the switch unit in question is encased in a housing space in part defined by a pressure-responsive flexible diaphragm adapted to operate the switch, which housing is disposed at some elevation above the level of the pump impeller, being appropriately connected to the pump unit at an elevation generally corresponding to that of its driving motor. Some such type of mounting of the switch device was contemplated for the pump unit of my application Serial No. 684,308, although the operation of that unit is in no way dependent upon the particular location of the pressureresponsive switch.

It is an object of the present invention to improve upon the pressure-controlled pump structure of my copending application, which may be referred to as a torpedo type adapted for downward insertion in a riser or like liquid collector or casing having a drainage line or conduit communicating laterally therewith at a predetermined level, in which the pressure-responsive, flexible diaphragm controlled switch is housed directly on the pump housing structure, at the bottomrnost portion thereof, as a unitary part of the torpedo pump and in predetermined relation to the intake to the riser or casing of said drainage line. In accordance with this object, the lower priming impeller housing of the pump has a housing extension fitted coaxially to the bottom end thereof, in which end the impeller shaft of the unit is journaled on an upright axis, the bottom housing in question receiving a normally open electrical switch in a space of this housing which is de- 3,-93,083 Patented June 11, 1963 fined at its bottom by a flexible diaphragm. Beneath this diaphragm there is defined in the housing a pressure space having openings to place it in communication with the liquid receiver, as at the bottom of a sump, or at an elevation in a basement floor riser predeterminedly below the floor level and adjacent a sewer trap.

It is a further object, attained by the provision of a switch housing mounted at the bottom end of an impeller housing, preferably a priming impeller housing as dealt with in my application identified above, to make it possible to drop the water level in the riser or sump further than is possible with another type mounting of the switch, due to the fact that the diaphragm controlling the switch is arranged at the lowest point of the pump assembly, is first subject to hydrostatic pressure as the pump is lowered into the liquid collector, and before the pump itself is so subject and, by reason of its construction as a unitary part of the pump and motor drive therefor, is extremely compact and readily handled manually in use.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a pressure-responsive switch controlled, motorized pump, including an impeller housed at a predetermined height above a pump intake, preferably an intake to a priming impeller housing extension of the housing for the first named impeller, in which the pressure-responsive switch means are mounted coaxially at the bottom of the housing structure to enable the torpedo-like insertion of such structure into a riser or like liquid accumulator of very restricted cross section, with the upper impeller housing having bleeder means communicating the same with a hydrostatic pressure zone adjacent, and preferably substantially beneath, the pump intake opening.

The foregoing as well as other objects will become more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the improved pump of the invention in side elevation, as fixedly mounted in a typical basement floor riser, this riser being broken away and shown in vertical cross section;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in axial section through the pump and switch assembly of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view, partially broken away and in axial section at a right angle to the plane of the section of FIG. 2.

Referring first to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the improved combined pump and switch unit of the invention, being shown installed in an upright riser or standpipe 11, or equivalent water collector having a clean-out opening 12 disposed at the level of floor surface 13, and predeterminedly above the usual trap 14 which discharges to a sewer. In such an installation a seepage or drainage line or conduit 15 opens laterally to the riser 11 at a level beneath the floor opening 12 which is determined by the particular installation. Such an installation is typical, although, as indicated above, the unit 10 has utility in the draining of other types of liquid accumulator.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pump switch unit 10 comprises a vertically elongated priming housing 16 of upwardly tapering, frusto-conical cross section. The upper portion of this housing threadedly receives a nipplelike tubular connector 17 of desired length, and a mounting disk or plug 18 (FIG. 1) is suitably and adjustably fixed coaxially on connector 17 above the housing 16 through the agency of a set screw 18'. Plug 18 threads into the clean-out opening 12 of riser 11, which opening is normally occupied by the usual closure plug.

Tubular connector 17 is threaded at its upper end into an axial boss 19 of a main pump housing 20, the hub surrounding the intake eye 21 to a centrifugal impeller 22 3 in this housing. Impeller 22 has its hub 23 fixed on an elongated drive shaft 24 extending downwardly and co axially through the priming housing 16. The latter may be of, say, 3 /2 inch maximum diameter for installation in a four inch pipe riser.

Main pump housing 20 discharges laterally above floor level 13 through a pipe 26, by which it may be connected to discharge to the exterior of the dwelling or other building in question, or to any other discharge point.

A centrifugal priming impeller 28, featuring a top shroud disk or plate 29, is secured to the shaft 24 adjacent the lower end thereof, within a downwardly tapered conical bottom portion 30 of priming housing 16. This end of the shaft may be appropriately journaled in a bearing 32 at the lower end of housing 16, and liquid enters to an intake chamber 32 directly beneath the blad- 'ing of impeller 28, just above the bearing through side housing openings 33. These openings are protected by a screen 34 surrounding housing 16 in this zone.

The upward divergence of the tapered lower housing portion 30 and the top shrouding of impeller 23 at 29 considerably assist the impeller in obtaining a rapid initial lift of water, which is then further speeded to main impeller housing 20 by the upward convergence of the housing 16 above impeller 28.

It is the function of the impeller 28 to positively and rapidly prime the above-floor pump housing 20 through tubular connector 17 whenever any water collects in the riser 11; and in this the priming pump housing 16 serves the combined functions of an impeller housing and an accelerative discharge pipe to the pump 20.

A suitable axially acting, spring urged rotary seal 36 is interposed between the upper end of the discharge impeller hub 23 and a hollow top extension 37 of centrifugal pump housing 20, the seal preferably including a carbon seal disk to contain upward flow at this point.

Drive shaft 24 is appropriately journaled by a ball bearing 39 suitably mounted in a tubular motor mounting sheath 40, which is coaxially fixed on the top extension 37 of pump housing 20. The upper end of shaft 24 is connected by an appropriate coupling 41 with the depending shaft 42 of an electric drive motor 43, which may be suitably Wired in a conventional way to a source of current through the switch means to be described. The tubular motor mounting sheath 40 is clamped about a motor boss 44 at its top and about the axial housing extension 37 at its bottom, a clamp for this purpose being designated 45.

In accordance with the present invention, a switch housing, generally designated by the reference numeral 47, is atfixed on the bottom end of the priming impeller housing 16. For this purpose, a bottom closure plate 48 of housing 16 is provided with a hollow cylindrical extension 49, within which the lower bearing 32 for shaft 24 is received. Switch housing 47 has an annular, upwardly extending wall 50 which is piloted on the extension 49 and fixedly secured thereto, as by a force fit.

Housing 47 is formed to provide a switch receiving space 51, within which the normally open switch 52 is received. The switch 52 has threaded provision at 53 for adjustably mounting the same in depending relation to housing 47, whereby upon rotative manipulation of the switch the axial position of its conventional operating button 54 may be adjusted as desired, in axial relation to a flexible diaphragm 55 of the housing. This diaphragm extends across the lower end of switch-receiving space 51, in part defining that space, and is clamped to the housing member 47 by means of a bottom closure plate 56. Plate 56 may be equipped with feet 56' to support the unit in a sump or like receiver.

The closure plate 56 is recessed somewhat at its top to provide a pressure chamber 57, which is communicated with the exterior of the plate through a plurality of downwardly facing apertures 58 in the closure plate 56, at an elevation adjacent the bottom of the sump.

These apertures directly open to the pressure chamber and to liquid well beneath the intake openings 33, to which liquid the apertures 58 are continually exposed in a pumping phase. Switch 52 is responsive to hydrostatic pressure in the manner of the switch of my aboveidentified patent, and it is evident that the bottom mounting of the switch enables the receiver to be thoroughly pumped out to practically a dry condition, under control of the switch.

Leads 60 connected to the terminals of switch 52 are brought outwardly from the space 51 through an upwardly extending tubular conduit 61 opening to that space in liquid tight relation to housing 47. This conduit extends upwardly into a sealed conduit member or manifold 62 which is appropriately secured to the extension hub 19 of main impeller housing 20, and the leads 6% are then brought out laterally through the wall of the conduit member 62 and further upwardly to a connection with the motor 43, the nature of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The reference numeral 65 designates an elongated bleeder tube, which extends downwardly from a fitting 66, through which it is communicated with the interior of main impeller housing 20, to a point (see FIG. 3) adjacent the bottom of the switch-pump unit. The connection to housing 20 is made at a point out toward the outer peripheral zone thereof. It may happen that there is air within the housing 20 as the same is being primed by impeller 28, and during the initial operation of main impeller 22; and the function of bleeder tube or pipe 65 is to allow this air to be forced outwardly of housing 20 and discharged into the riser or sump adjacent the switch housing 47. The bore of tube 65 is very small, so that its effect on the pumping capacity of the main impeller 22 is negligible. A suitable band 68 may be employed to secure the electrical conduit 61 and the bleeder tube 65 in place in side by side relation to the impeller housing 16.

It is seen from the above that the invention affords a unitary pump and control switch assembly or unit which is very compact and very easily handled manually. The switch and its hydrostatically responsive operating diaphragm 55 are placed in a low zone to be immediately subject to hydrostatic pressure as the unit is placed in operating position, and to remain subject to the hydrostatic pressure until the liquid accumulator or receiver is pumped practically dry. The intake openings 58 are positioned, as shown in FIG. 1, at least as high as, or at least in part above, the intake opening of the lateral drainage conduit or line 15, to the casing or riser 11, so that any dynamic upward component of the waters flow force may be exerted directly upon the diaphragm 55, thus maintaining the closure of switch 52 until the liquid level in the riser is adequately reduced. The adapter plug for riser 11 enable a quick and easy mounting of the combined unit in the riser but, in the event the unit is to be employed as a sump pump, the plug '18 may, of course, be omitted; and the unit is still a very compact and inexpensive one for sump-type use in substitution for the relatively large and expensive sump and sump pumps presently employed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination with an upright liquid accumulating casing having a lateral liquid intake conduit communicating with the upright casing at a predetermined point and having a level of liquid therein, a switch controlled pump unit, comprising a pump including a rotary impeller and a housing in which said impeller is mounted for rotation, said housing being provided with means to discharge liquid and having liquid intake means extending into said casing and communicating upwardly with said housing, said intake means having an intake opening a substantial distance beneath the housing, a motor operativcly connected to said impeller to drive the latter, a switch device having a pressure responsive memher con-trolling the same, and means providing an aperture for the upward application of liquid pressure on said pressure responsive member, said last named means and member being mounted on said intake means beneath said opening of the latter, said aperture being downwardly exposed to and. subject to the pressure of liquid beneath said intake opening, and means to mount said pump unit in a fixed vertical relation to said casing with said pump intake means in said casing and with said aperture and pressure responsive member above said lateral liquid intake conduit and the level of liquid therein, said switch device being operatively connected to said motor to operate the latter under the control of said pressure responsive member in response to varying liquid pressure beneath said member.

2. The combination defined by claim 1, and further comprising a priming impeller driven by said motor, and a bearing journal-ling said priming impeller in said intake means adjacent the intake opening of the latter, said switch device being fixedly mounted on the bottom of said intake means and coaxially of said bearing.

3. In combination with an upright liquid accumulating casing having a lateral liquid intake conduit communicating with the upright casing at a predetermined point and having a level of liquid therein, a switch controlled pump unit, comprising a pump including a rotary impeller and a housing in which said impeller is mounted for rotation, said housing being provided with means to discharge liquid and having liquid intake means extending into said casing and communicating upwardly with said housing, said intake means having an intake opening a substantial distance beneath the housing, a motor having a shaft operatively connected to said impeller to drive the latter, a switch device mounted on said intake means beneath said opening of the latter, said switch device including a switch housing, a switch in said housing, a pressure responsive member closing one side of said housing and adapted to operate said switch, and means providing an aperture for the upward application of hydraulic pressure on said pressure responsive member, said aperture being downwardly exposed to and subject to the pressure of liquid beneath said intake opening, and means to mount said pump unit in a fixed vertical relation to said casing with said pump intake means in said casing and with said aperture and pressure responsive member above said lateral liquid intake conduit and the level of liquid therein, said switch being operatively connected to said motor to operate the latter under the control of said pressure responsive member in response to varying liquid pressure beneath said member.

4. Te combination defined by claim 3, and further comprising a priming impeller driven by said shaft means,

and a bearing journalling said priming impeller in saidintake means adjacent the intake opening of the latter, said switch device being fixedly mounted on the bottom of said intake means and coaxially of said bearing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,234,948 Sperry July 31, 1917 2,219,635 Ralston Oct. 29, 1940 2,247,709 La Bour July 1, 1941 2,280,626 Carpenter Apr. 26, 1942 2,291,138 Blom July 28, 1942 2,369,440 Cuntis Feb. 13, 1945 2,388,939 Stepanofi Nov. 13, 1945 2,463,251 Curtis Mar. 1, 1949 2,488,506 Bernhardt Nov. 15, 1949 2,690,713 Urmann Oct. 5, 1954 2,834,845 Nielsen May 13, 1958 2,845,870 Lock Aug. 5, 1958 2,865,296 Bungarty Dec. 23, 1958 2,910,003 Kaatz Oct. 27, 1959 2,922,002 Gilman Jan. 19, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 17,053 Great Britain July 19, 1897 597,751 Great Britain Feb. 3, 1948 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH AN UPRIGHT LIQUID ACCUMULATING CASING HAVING A LATERAL LIQUID INTAKE CONDUIT COMMUNICATING WITH THE UPRIGHT CASING AT A PREDETERMINED POINT AND HAVING A LEVEL OF LIQUID THEREIN, A SWITCH CONTROLLED PUMP UNIT, COMPRISING A PUMP INCLUDING A ROTARY IMPELLER AND A HOUSING IN WHICH SAID IMPELLER IS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION, SAID HOUSING BEING PROVIDED WITH MEANS TO DISCHARGE LIQUID AND HAVING LIQUID INTAKE MEANS EXTENDING INTO SAID CASING AND COMMUNICATING UPWARDLY WITH SAID HOUSING, SAID INTAKE MEANS HAVING AN INTAKE OPENING A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BENEATH THE HOUSING, A MOTOR OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID IMPELLER TO DRIVE THE LATTER, A SWITCH DEVICE HAVING A PRESSURE RESPONSIVE MEMBER, CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND MEANS PROVIDING AN APERTURE FOR THE UPWARD APPLICATION OF LIQUID PRESSURE ON SAID PRESSURE RESPONSIVE MEMBER, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS AND 